About Adele Ajosun
Adele Ajosun was a businessperson and slave trader.
Oba Adele or Adele Ajosun (died 1837) reigned twice as Oba of Lagos; first, from c1811 to 1821, and a second time from 1835 to 1837. His father was Oba Ologun Kutere and his siblings were Obas Osinlokun and Akitoye, thus the Ologun Kutere line has remained the dominant line in the Obaship of Lagos.
Ascendancy Adele ascended the Obaship of Lagos after the approximate 5 year interregnum following the death of his father Ologun Kutere. Some written and oral sources note that Ologun Kutere desired that Adele become Oba because of Adele's faithful service to Ologun Kutere. Historian John. B. Losi wrote about Adele's care of Ologun Kutere's property while the Lander brothers (Richard and John Lander) note Adele's mechanical aptitude.
During Adele's reign the Islamic faith spread in Lagos and his popularity is reported to have decreased among Lagosians because his children introduced the Egun masquerade, which at the time was seen as unbecoming.
Osinlokun's coup and Adele's exile to Badagry Around 1820 or 1821, and as was the tradition before 1852 when Lagos exercised more independence from the Benin Empire, Adele attempted to accompany Ologun Kutere's remains to Benin for burial, however, Osinlokun and his supporters forcibly prevented Adele from doing so and in the process usurped the Obaship from Adele. Adele was now exiled to Badagry where he assumed headship of the town. In 1825, while in Badagry, Adele attempted to violently retake the Lagos throne with the help of the British Navy but his efforts were futile. He reportedly sank into depression when a gunpowder explosion destroyed his home, property, and followers.
Death Adele died in 1837 and was succeeded as Oba by his son, Oluwole.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
Frequently asked questions
Who was Adele Ajosun?
oba of Lagos
When was Adele Ajosun born?
Adele Ajosun was born in Lagos.
When did Adele Ajosun die?
Adele Ajosun died in 1837 in Lagos.
What was Adele Ajosun's occupation?
Adele Ajosun was a businessperson and slave trader.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Adele Ajosun. https://biography.guide/adele-ajosun/
MLA: "Adele Ajosun." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/adele-ajosun/.
Chicago: "Adele Ajosun." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/adele-ajosun/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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